The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-04-07
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TODAY.
CHAPTER XxxI.
EXPECTATIONS.

AT the very moment of his. downfall,
while he was actually at last in the
hands Of the Belgian police, to whom.
in common with the force in most
European countries. his capture had
Tor a long time been sort Of day
dream--at the time when he evidently
considered that the game was up,
ploWitz enjoyed over one of bis enemies,
at least, the triumph Of complete re-
venge. Through al the manifest
tokens of his discontinue and fear, it
was evident that he not only appre-
ciatcd, but even enjoyed, my terrified
anxiety for Mary. my fury with him
self.
/ die not realise to the full tho
strength Of his position until l had had
conference on the subject with the
police authorities. The chief official
was exceedingly courteous and SYM
pathetic. Plowitz was calmly defiant,
and spoke throughout Of Mary in a
tone of proprictorship which did not
tend to promote any judicial calmncss
Of demeanour in me. He did not, as
had partly expected. refuse to say any
thing at Ill on the subject. On the con-
trarr, he stated that l had. no
right whatever to question his conduct
and no locus standi whatever in the
affair. The lady had been confidcd to
his safe conduct by her guardian. Mr.
Beaufoy, rich and influential English
gentleman. lie had fulfilled his trust,
and placed the lady in safe keeping.
When any proofs of foul play came to
light the police would be able to act
without any prompting from an 'ex-
cited outsider. If their help should be
claimed by Mr.. Beaufoy, or any of the
lady's relatives, he would be happy to
give them any information. In. the
meantime he protested against this
offensive interference with his private
affairs. and must decline to say any
thing more on the subject.
The authorities were quite prepared
to believe any evil of their prisoner, but
they were equally impressed, l could
see, with the logical weakness Of my
position. Taking what comfort could
with me from general promise TO
keep watch over my interests, l de-
parted with q heavy heart in company
with Shaw.
..Come," said my good friend.
..never despair. You couldn't exactly
expect our friend to play into our
hands after all, and give up the only
source of power that remains with him.
But don't believe in mysterious dis
appearances. We shall certainly be
able to trace Miss Fortescue. 5.
Icnuld not take hopeful view Of
the case. had all along, foolishly
enough. imagined that when Plowitz
was found Mary would be found, and
the disappointment was as great as the
latent hope had been.
At this moment, Harper, Inspector
Rosebush's agent, who had remained
behind at the police-station. caught US
up.
"By-the-by," said Shaw suddenly. II
suppose Miss Fortescue is not ut the
house to which we were going, when
Piowitz saved Us the trouble BY meeting
us?''
NO." said Harper; II enquired. No
lady had been there
But you can trace their movements
from land,ng?"
"Yes, sir. That's just what I'm
about doing"
Shaw was now urgent that we
should leave this part Of the enquiry
for the present in the hands of pro-
fessional detectives, and take some
much needed refreshments ourselves.
Harper promised to bring = tull re.
port Of proceedings as soon as he had
concluded his Investigations to tina,
best of inns. the Hotel st. Antoine
whittier we now directed our steps, en-
gagged rooms, and ordered breakfast
calling on the way ut the Office Of Al
English solicitor BY direction of Harper
Once again the salient points in thu
story of Mary's abduction were de
tailed, and MIR. Lcverett, tha solici
tor, was commissioned to obtain an in
teryiew with Plowitz. and sec were ther,
any practicable conditions on, which b,
would consent to aid in her restitution
We had not finished our repast befor,
Mr.. Lcvcrett returned.
Il am afraid" he said, s.that Their
Is nothing to be hoped frem that mai
at present, anyhow. He cynicall
hnk x1ySn hn
charges against him to swamp any con
sideratiors of clemency on the score o
his revealing the lady's abode. An
tho strongest point, and ono an whicl
he seems to dwell with much JUNCTION
is that size was committed to his car
by her guardian, and that, till tn
guardian, requires an account fror
him, no one has scrap of right to in
terfere."
This was the same dismal tale owe
again. We sat in silence, while gust
wind whirled the dead leaves roun
outside the window of the salle-a-mar
ger. and tho cathedral chimes GLANCE
out chorus from Marta
..No," continued Mr.. Levcrett
wrinkling his forehead. and pursuing hi
lips, as if to accompany the chime
with silent whistle; "no; l don't Sc,
what is to be done, unless you can &c
hold of the guardian and bring pressur,
to bear on Plowitz through him, an,
meantime enlcavour by all means t
trace and communicate with the lad
herself"
That's just what we are doing,
said !.
And having arranged to report pre-
gross. and received Il hearty promise Q
Mr.. Leverett's utmost aid, Shaw and
were again left to our breakfast an
our reflections. Mine became into
erably anxious. Shaw. blessed with
more ph|egmatic temperament, and NJ
so deeply interested as was, was alb
to enjoy the quasi-tranquillity OF a ma
who feels that all that is possible undt